To help you get information about Technology Children's Centers more easily, we have compiled a number of frequently asked questions about TCC, and we have provided answers here on this page. If you have a question that we have not answered below, please do not hesitate to contact us at TCCinfo@mit.edu.
- How soon should I apply for child care at TCC?
- What are my chances of being enrolled? How long do families tend to wait?
- May non-MIT families apply to TCC?
- Are any schedules available other than the ones listed? For example, may I enroll my child in a Mon/Tues/Wed schedule rather than a Mon/Wed/Fri schedule?
- If I decline a child care space, do I move to the bottom of the waiting list?
- My child is an infant (or toddler). If my child is not enrolled by the time he or she is a toddler (or preschooler), will I need to reapply?
- If my child is enrolled in a non-MIT center, may I remain on the MIT waiting list?
- If I enroll my child in one MIT center or schedule, but prefer another, may I remain on the waiting list for my preferred option?
- If I prefer one site or schedule over another, how may I indicate that on my application?
- If I enroll my child at TCC while affiliated with MIT, and I then leave MIT, may my child remain at TCC?
- If I am not affiliated with MIT, but other family members (aunt, uncle, grandparents of my child) are affiliated with MIT, does that give us MIT priority on the waiting list?
- Are the MIT Child Care Scholarship Program scholarships transferable to non-MIT child care centers?
How soon should I apply for child care at TCC?
Because of the high demand for child care spaces at TCC, we accept applications as early as a family prefers to apply, after the conception of a child.
What are my chances of being enrolled? How long do families tend to wait?
Families usually wait about a year to a year and a half, and sometimes longer, to be offered an infant or toddler space at TCC. The wait for a preschool-age space is sometimes much shorter, particularly for enrollment starting in the summer months. Families are much more likely to be offered toddler and preschool care at our Eastgate site than at our Stata site, as there is no infant program at Eastgate. At Stata, as infants grow older, they transition to available spaces in the older classrooms.
May non-MIT families apply to TCC?
MIT TCC campus centers enrollment is limited to MIT active affiliates, defined as current employees; postdocs; students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs; visiting engineers, scholars, and scientists; and a limited number of specifically named MIT-affiliated organizations. MIT TCC Linc enrollment is open to the general community,
with priority given to MIT affiliated families.
Are any schedules available other than the ones listed? For example, may I enroll my child in a Mon/Tues/Wed schedule rather than a Mon/Wed/Fri schedule?
TCC's part-time schedule offerings are set at Tues/Thurs and Mon/Wed/Fri. These schedules complement each other, allowing us to fill rooms to capacity, establish consistent peer groups for the children enrolled at TCC, and offer care to as many families as possible on our waiting list.
If I decline a child care space, do I move to the bottom of the waiting list?
You do not lose your standing on the waiting list by declining a space. If at any point you are no longer seeking child care at TCC, please contact us to help us keep our waiting list updated.
My child is an infant (or toddler). If my child is not enrolled by the time he or she is a toddler (or preschooler), will I need to reapply?
Once your family is on our waiting list, you do not need to reapply. We will note your child's current age when seeking an open space to offer your family.
If my child is enrolled in a non-MIT center, may I remain on the MIT waiting list?
Yes, you will remain on our list regardless of other arrangements you have made. Please let us know if you would like to be removed from our list, to help us keep our waiting list updated.
If I enroll my child in one MIT center or schedule, but prefer another, may I remain on the waiting list for my preferred option?
Families wishing to transfer must complete a new application form (no fee will be charged) and will be placed on the wait list and considered for enrollment according to general enrollment policies.
If I prefer one site or schedule over another, how may I indicate that on my application?
We understand that parents' preferences may change over time or according to which options become available and when. Please be sure to indicate on your application any and all sites and schedules that may be of interest to you. You will be contacted for all openings that match any of the interests you indicated on your application, as soon as those openings become available to your family. When you are contacted, you may pass on an available opening in order to wait for an opening at a different site or in a different schedule.
If I enroll my child at TCC while affiliated with MIT, and I then leave MIT, may my child remain at TCC?
MIT TCC campus centers enrollment is limited to MIT active affiliates and a limited number of specifically named MIT-affiliated organizations only. MIT TCC Linc enrollment is open to the general community. For further information, please read our enrollment policies.
If I am not affiliated with MIT, but other family members (aunt, uncle, grandparents of my child) are affiliated with MIT, does that give us MIT priority on the waiting list?
Only MIT-affiliated parents or guardians confer MIT priority to a child on the TCC waiting list.
Are the MIT Child Care Scholarship Program awards transferable to non-MIT child care centers?
MIT Child Care Scholarships only apply to TCC.
